[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 91 (Thursday, June 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING TOMAS VILLANUEVA

 Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I would like to pay tribute to 
an incredible advocate for farmworker rights from the State of 
Washington, Tomas Villanueva.
  Tomas's family immigrated to the United States from Mexico when he 
was 14 years old. They settled in Toppenish in 1958, where Tomas was 
able to earn his GED, allowing him the opportunity to enroll in Yakima 
Valley College. After being inspired by Ceesar Chavez's United 
Farmworkers moment, Tomas and classmate Lupe Gamboa traveled to 
California in 1967 to learn more about organizing. Upon their return to 
the Yakima Valley, Tomas and Lupe formed the United Farm Worker 
Cooperative, one of the first activist Chicano organizations in 
Washington State. Out of Tomas's activism came the Yakima Valley 
Farmworker's Clinic and the United Farmworkers Service Center.
  After a brief break to focus on a family business, Tomas became the 
first president of the United Farmworkers of Washington State.
  Tomas dedicated his life to improving working conditions and health 
care standards for farmworkers, and I could always rely on Tomas's 
wisdom, guidance, and advocacy on the important issues of justice, 
human rights, and comprehensive immigration reform.
  Tomas was gifted in his ability to translate the challenging issues 
farmworkers face to community leaders and politicians, inspiring their 
support and work on behalf of farmworker rights.
  While Tomas was informed and passionate, he was also pragmatic about 
how we as a State--and as a nation-- can do a better job of caring and 
advocating for farmworkers and their families.
  He will be so missed, but his legacy will live on.
  Mr. President, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the memory of Tomas Villanueva. During this difficult time my 
thoughts are with his friends, family, and all whom he 
inspired.

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